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Deep Dive: Dear Pyongyang (2006)

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Dear Pyongyang
Dear Pyongyang is a documentary by Yang Yong-hi that focuses on her family dynamics and the impact of political ideology on personal relationships. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1970s repatriation campaign, where Yang's father, a committed communist, sent his three sons from Japan to North Korea. Yang, as the only daughter, remained in Japan, creating a divide in the family that is central to the narrative. The film captures Yang's visits to her brothers in Pyongyang and her conversations with her father about his beliefs and regrets regarding the separation of the family. It presents a personal perspective on the consequences of political movements and the emotional toll of ideological commitments, particularly as Yang's brothers face hardships in North Korea that lead them to rely on care packages from their parents.

Why Watch

  • •See Yang's family story across Japan and North Korea.
  • •Meet Yang's brothers and their struggles in Pyongyang.
  • •Find out about the impact of ideology on family ties.

Did You Know

•Yang Yong-hi directed Dear Pyongyang, released in 2006.
•Yang's father sent his three sons to North Korea during a repatriation campaign in the 1970s.
•The film features both Korean and Japanese dialogue with English subtitles for the US release.
•Yang published a book in Japanese in August 2006 under the same title as the film.

Perfect For

North Korean historyDocumentary enthusiastsFamily dynamics